1st November

A very calm beginning to the new month brought some pleasant enough birding but still few notable migrants. At least 4 Waxwings were still around, 2 of which were trapped and ringed in the morning, and the previous day's Mealy Redpoll was joined by another Mealy Redpoll and 2 North-Western Redpolls. Other small migrants included a Lapland Bunting, a Brambling and a flock of 36 Snow Buntings arriving over the sea from the north. A Little Auk was the highlight of a seawatch, while a Common Scoter was swimming offshore and a count of at least 249 Eiders indicated a build-up of the species. Purple Sandpipers, also increasing in number, reached 140 birds, and further sightings included 3 Merlins, 2 Peregrines and 2 Hen Harriers.

Mealy Redpoll